HistoricalCoins

53, Lot: 51. IONIA, Smyrna. 'Britannicus' 
Caesar. Died 55 AD. Æ 17mm (3.75 gm). Estimate 
$300. Bidding Closed 

IONIA, Smyrna. 'Britannicus' Caesar. Died 55 AD. 
Æ 17mm (3.75 gm). Bare head of Britannicus (?) 
right / Nike flying right, holding trophy over 
her left shoulder. RPC I 2476; Klose XXXI; 
Lindgren & Kovacs 562. Fine, brown patina. 
($300) 
The authors of RPC dispute Klose's 
identification of the head on this coin as 
Britannicus and identify it as Nero. Without an 
inscription, either is possible.
Britannicus was the son of the emperor Claudius 
and Messalina and was born about 41 or 42 AD. He 
was originally named Germanicus, but was renamed 
Britannicus in honor of his father's successful 
British invasion of 43. In 55, while dining with 
friends, he was poisoned and died. The murder 
was almost certainly ordered by Agrippina 
Junior, (the wife and probable murderess of 
her husband Claudius), who wanted to clear 
the way for her son's succession to the throne.

53, Lot: 51. 
Closing Date And Time: Nov 20, 2002 10:42 AM 
EST.
Currently: $180.